On June 20, 2025, Brian Kelley released “Sunshine State of Mind Season Two, Chapter One,” his fourth solo album in four years.
Tennessean journalists Marcus K. Dowling and Hadley Hitson discuss Broadway’s big boom
Tennessean journalists Marcus K. Dowling and Hadley Hitson discuss Broadway’s big boom
Whether standing on a pitcher’s mound or performing with a microphone in his hand, country superstar Brian Kelley has spent the better part of three decades in the spotlight.
During a phone conversation with The Tennessean about his new album, “Sunshine State of Mind Season Two, Chapter One,” hearing that stunned him into a literal minute of silence.
“I’ve always been into trying to remain authentic to myself in the moment,” he eventually replied.
Kelley admits to losing something of himself during the platinum-selling and award-winning decade he spent paired with Tyler Hubbard as the duo Florida Georgia Line until 2022. Since then, he’s released four albums in four years.
‘The Masked Singer’s unexpectedly profound career impact
Kelley recently spent Season 13 of Fox’s “The Masked Singer” under a mask and costume as “The Mad Scientist.”
Before performing Matchbox Twenty’s “Unwell,” you hear Kelley’s heaving sigh under the Mad Scientist Monster’s mask. Three minutes later, he recalls saying to himself, “Holy smokes, we did that. It just happened.”
“It was freeing and fun not to have to worry about my branding or other people’s thoughts about what I was doing, because nobody realized it was me.”
‘Saltwater Ranch,’ business, music interests driving latest chapter of Kelley’s career
Outside of singing and songwriting, having his “head down, grinding” now includes his growth as an entrepreneur, primarily based out of Grayton Beach, Florida, a half-hour north of Panama City Beach.
Businesses he has an interest in include his Tribe Kelley Surf Post clothing store, the Tribe Kelley athleisure brand he owns with his wife, Brittney, the Papa Surf Burger Bar he owns with his wife along with Jason and Brittany Aldean, legendary former Atlanta Braves pitcher Tom Glavine and Glavine’s wife, Chris, plus a partnership with Real American Beer.
He’s still a songwriter first.
“A song like ‘Saltwater Ranch’ represents the good-vibe party energy that has defined the most exciting parts of my life onstage, offstage and backstage for the past five years.”
‘Sunshine State of Mind’
“Being a songwriter and chasing down songs is as therapeutic as it is great when you’re getting comfortable with yourself again,” Kelley said.
“I dug deep on this and let it all fly. I even sang some harmonies, which I didn’t want to do for a while. Working on these songs felt like a massive inhale and a big exhale in the best way possible.”
“Colorado for Hurricane Season” explores the anxiety of coastal living. “Sundays in Grayton” closes the album, celebrating how being from a seaside town has specifically shaped his worldview and music, making them feel “right and good” to him.
The ‘wander and wonder’ of soul-searching
“I’ve always considered myself a songwriter first,” Kelley said. “Wanting to express myself while dealing with life has also been a part of my life since I embraced Christian and country music after getting redshirted and not making the travel team as a pitcher at Florida State University 20 years ago.
“I’m still that guy who hates going out to a watering hole with my wife, family and friends because I’ll think of something while we’re sharing a special moment. When creativity becomes a habit, it becomes a part of every decision you make and moment you live,” Kelley said.
“I’m still pushing along the wander and wonder of a soul-searching course in my head and heart to figure out where I’m supposed to end up in life. I just want to know everything else that’s out there for me.”
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